Tourist, business arrivals up again in 2011, says ministry

TOURIST arrivals hit a record high for the second year running in 2011, rising more than 20 percent, figures from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism show.

The number of foreign visitors arriving through the Yangon gateway increased 21.76pc to 359,359, up from 295,147 in 2010. More than two-thirds of visitors were from Asian countries, including about 59,010 from Thailand, the largest single group, followed by China with 32,757. About 18,925 visitors were from South Korea.

European nationals accounted for 65,367 travellers, representing 22.15pc of total arrivals. France led the way with 13,102 visitors, followed by Germany (10,932) and the United Kingdom (7195).

The figures also showed a sharp 44pc rise in people arriving on business visas, which are counted as tourist arrivals. Business travellers made up 69,943, or almost 20pc, of all foreign visitors in 2011, up from 48,549 the previous year. Meanwhile, foreigners arriving on social visas climbed about 20pc to 33,273.

A ministry spokesperson said the growth was based on Myanmar’s rich cultural heritage and unspoiled natural landscapes.He said the ministry was working to set up strategies that ensured tourism developed in a sustainable and responsible manner and the government also wanted to see tourism flourish.

“We are aware of the importance of smooth facilitation of travel for international visitors and the government has recently formed the committee for smooth entrance of foreign visitors,” he said. “The government’s long-term tourism objectives are to develop the industry to generate revenue, to create job opportunities and create income for residents.”The increase, however, has shown up the limited capacity of Myanmar’s tourism infrastructure, particularly hotels and domestic airlines.

“Arrival numbers are increasing 20pc to 30pc every year. It means we need to build more hotels, expand airlines and develop our infrastructure so we can offer a better level of service to visitors,” said U Lynn Zaw Wai Mang, general manager of Unique Asia Travel in Yangon.

The ministry spokesperson said government was promoting existing tourism destinations through the upgrading of tourism-related infrastructure and facilities and improving awareness through print material, such as tourism guidebooks, brochures and leaflets.

“We were also able to establish a Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Myanmar Chapter in November … we will continue to promote our tourism industry through PATA’s activities in the future.”

Source - mmtimes